Undesignated...What's Up With That?

Hi Lucycat, I can not really answer that except to say....it is possible that they will would take him there. I have heard of others joining ships already on deployment. It may depend on a lot of things, like how much longer will the ship be gone, where the ship is, (don't answer that here) do they really need him at this time. I'm sure he will find out very soon.

Where is he and what ship is he assigned to?

hey everyone! my name is Annie and my husband DOR'd from buds a few weeks ago. He went in to the office to reclassify, and supposedly had no jobs and made go Undes. I heard that going Undes can be a bad thing as well. i would love to know more since this is a new chapter was have to embrace!

Thanks everyone! it is great meeting you all as well!
I just had a few questions. What exactly does an Undesignated Airman do? Where do they moslyt get stationed at? My husband is still upset leaving BUDS, but can not wait to go back next year.

Hey Moose Mom! i remember you! Yes, he was in 281. My husband is waiting for his orders as well. When did your son DOR?

yes it is msvines.

Welcome Sandy, I hope you get some answers soon from your son. I know the unknown is always the hardest part. In these days of the Navy being overmanned in many of their rates there seems to be a lot of undesignated going on.

DId your son go in with a rate? Usually around the 4th week or so a detailer meets with sailors, they inform them of rates that may have opened up to see if they want to change rates while they are in boot camp. Sometimes in BC things happen that your sailor may have to change rates due to something medical, or manning, I guess there are many reasons for changes. If something like that happen, your son may not have been interested in the choices that were presented to him. In that case he could have chosen to go undesignated.

If that is what happen, he will either stay in Great Lakes for a short 3 week school if he chooses seaman, or a a school in Florida if he chooses airman. And again that is if he gets the choice.

It's really not a bad thing to be undesignated, it may just take him some time to get settled in. Be patient and just encourage him to stay positive.

yay! after a month of waiting, my husband finally got his orders!

He is going to FL next month for 2 weeks as an Undes. Airman. Then after that, he will be stationed in San Diego. I do not on the specifics on his title yet, but he seems happy now that he has his orders.

Thank you everyone!! =) My husband will be stationed at the 32nd St Naval Station. He was giving me details about it, but i was completely lost. LOL.

msvines - It's sad seeing him separated from his buddies back in BUDS. They all have a very strong bond with one another since they all stuck together since day one. I do find it a relief, yet again, i know his heart is set on BUDS. I just tell him that he has a shot next time around, and to not beat himself up on his decisions that he makes. Things happen for a reason. 281 has a very strong bond, and i was able to relate with many moms, wives and girlfriends. The guys in 281 were all an inspiration to the other men coming aboard BUDS. I do find it a relief knowing what is going to happen to him at this point. I hate being left in the dark, yet again, we all have to adjust to the military life.

Moose Mom - Did your son get his orders yet?

Jessica, your son will love San DIego, yes it will be a big change for him but it is a beautiful city. And think of the great vacation you can plan.
My daughter is stationed about 45 min north of there but goes there a lot for the Navy and just for fun.

I'm an 8 hour drive, if Mike ever wants to take a ride and explore Northern California he is welcome to stay here and have a home cooked meal. I have been know to have many sailors and marines at my house for holidays. Tara usually brings a few friends along with her.

But if you don't get rated then arn't you out when your time is up? That is what Tara is afraid of and she has been in 2 and 1/2 years. The overmanning is making it harder and harder to get rated in certain rates.

Tara has her ESWAS, got it last year on deployment. She passed her test last March for BM3 but due to overmanning she still is not rated. She just took it again last week, we will see what happens. She just has to hope that she scored high enough. It depends on how many take the test and how many places are open.

I know you need to start the process for reenlistment 18 months ahead of time. Which is where she is right about now. Not sure what will happen. Just have to wait and see.

You need to be an E5 to get BHA, unless you are married I believe.

Undes can be pretty much where ever they need someone. Most rates fall under Seamen, Airmen.

I knew PNB would be along with the correct answers. But that leads me to ask a question. Is BAH different for Nukes? My son had to wait till he was an E5.Thats why I thought it was E5. But I think you answered my question....it was because he did not have 4 years in when he was an E4. Once he reenlisted he became an E5 with 3 years experience, then he could receive BHA. I think?

Ray Ray go to page 6 and read what PNB wrote about when an Undes can strike. A see if that helps answer your question.

Cheryle, so glad you have Thomas home with you before he goes on his new adventure. Get all those hugs while you can.

Juile, Oh yes, Tara and that Marine (Mike) are still dating, In fact when I was down there last month I got to know him pretty well. He seems to be a good guy. They are doing just fine.

I will be in San Diego next month to meet some Navy Mom friends but it won't be till of April 27th - the 30th. When are you going Molly?

Yes Tara got her orders at boot camp also. That is because she went in undesingnated. Everyone else gets orders for a ship after the finish A school.

Tara's class was about 2 weeks also, and then got to come home for about 2 weeks.

Msvines, I'm still trying to keep all the newer stories straight. LOL!

Julie, that was very nice of Cory's x to give that stuff back.

Darn Molly, are you driving through Sacramento? Stop by.

Next week at this time my bubble head will be home!!!! it has been a year since we have seen him. And it has been 2 1/2 years since the 4 of us have been together. Who knows Molly if can't get Tara home we may just be down that way at that time anyway. I'll keep you posted.

Yes the best part, or should I say the OTHER best part is we are flying back to Hawaii with him and staying for a week on the Big Island. Its going to be a busy April.

We did that tour last year when we were there for the sub tiger cruise. So this year it is off to the big island.

It is basically an 8 hour cruise for females, then I was kicked off, but my hubby got to spend the night. It was just great they took us out and under for 8 hours. They do a lot of testing like speeding up, turning till the sub tills, and bunch of other things. We had lunch in the Galley, toured most everything except we never got to see where Aaron works.....you know those nukes are just to special. LOL! But that was ok because he could just hang out with us all day, so we had our own personal tour guide. It was definitely a wonderful experience.

I have pictures on my page check them out.

The other ships do tiger cruises also. It is a cruise from Hawaii which is their last port stop before coming back to San Diego. You fly over and you get to sail back with them. Most ships offer them I think, but it is up to the captain I believe. I Its not as common on a sub. I think they are actually called Dependance Cruises for subs.
We were suppose to go on Tara's but it was canceled last July because they had an out break of swine flue on last stop in Thailand.

You are right Molly that's what Tara was on, the Boxer is a LHD. And she is with detachment ECHO with ACU5 riding on those LCAC's, she loves it.

Molly remember what site this is......she is still undes. LOL! So she does a little bite of everything, and like your son likes that part of it. But she knows she needs to be rated. If she passes her BM3 then I think she is told she can become a Loadmaster.

I'm still waiting for Tara, it's been two days since I heard "I'll call you later" and that was right in the middle of a conversation. Oh well there's something to be said for them not needing us as much as we think they do. Love them for their independence.

Welcome home Nimitz, glad to have you back!!!

Molly that is just beautiful, gave me goose bumps and tears. Thank you. They will love it.

Sandy give a congrats to Aaron.

From one Aaron's mom to another :)
THU is Temporary Holding Unit. Did he say what is the hold up? Could be waiting on space in class, injury, many things. But Basic Seaman ship class is usually about 3 weeks, right there in Great Lakes, unless he is undes airman then he is off to Florida. After class he should get orders for where he will be going, then they usually get to come home on leave before reporting to their ship.

Hey everyone. it's been a long time since i have been in here. my hubby is finally in Pensacola for the next 3 weeks for Undes Airmen. Does anyone know if they have leave when they are finished with their school until they report to their next location?

Tara got the same leave after class. So her should too!

Tara actually got a little bit longer leave due to it being Thanksgiving.
But your right, there was not a wonderful place like this Undes group to ask.

Just gotta add....picked up Aaron last night, he is home and still sleeping. :) Ahhhh!

Yes msvines, my son has been in 4 years, he is a ET Nuke on a sub based in Pearl Harbor. The hardest part of having 2 is getting everyone together at the same time.

Once they get settled at their command some of the uncertainty goes away. The hardest part is getting everyone together at the same time. Good luck to your son.

Both times Tara went through Hawaii, Aaron was out, they had 24 hrs once. And altogether Tara's time there was 3 weeks.

Hey everyone! Hubby made it to Pensacola safely today. He is upset because he found out that he might be there longer than expected. Instead of 3 weeks, it may be 2 months now. I guess they only have 2 classes for Undes Airman, and there is too many of them at this point, plus he feels like he is back in BC. I told him that it will be okay, and to keep his head up, and he said "don't worry, i'll live" what a trooper =)

hey sandy your son grad with my son 3/26 grad was awesome! he was in my sons division.......my son went into the navy as a undesign airman because he was not sure what job he wanted in the navy.....he is still in chicago waiting to be sent to florida.after grad he called me after I came back for the weekend and said he was frustrated and depressed waiting in limbo there and just wanted to move on.....finally he got his orders to leave to florida and then in may leaving on a stennis war ship in seattle......so I understand what your son was going thru as well. heavd florida gets crowded and they have to wait for room before other sailors can go......what is your son going too?

Waiting to class up is nothing new, although theses days it seems to be bit more common. When Aaron left Great Lakes he had to wait a few weeks in South Carolina for space. While they are waiting they will keep them busy, it may not be fun but they will make it through.

I'm with Molly, Tara has never been treated any differently being Undes. She gets very frustrated and wants to be rated now, but a lot of times her friends will ask her why, you have it made? If Undes was a rate she would love it, she has been to many places on deployment, her ship had the pirates last year and the Captain that was kidnapped. She even did the lines for lowering the bodies out to sea. Remember, its not a job it's an adventure, beginning with BC.

Just stay positive for your sailors, it will all work out. I know it's hard being at home trying to picture what's really going on. They are not alone, misery loves company, they'll make friends for life through this experience. Both my kids have friends that they made in BC and School, they are still in touch with them.

hey sandy.........I just talked to my son and he said he thinks he is working with your son in chicago until they both leave......glad your son got his orders! san diego is nice I heard good for him. my son going to seattle after florida not wonderful but he is exciting with the ship he is going on and the traveling.....he just wants to get out of chicago already and move on.......

Thanks julie.......glad I found the site.. its helps us moms so much talking to each other and supporting each other. its helped me when my son went to boot camp and I love it............where is your son right now?

hey crackerjack thanks for sharing that information about your daughter it helps our loveones and knowing if they will be happy and going in the right direction in the navy life.....when they get depressed or unhappy we do too..its horrible worrying about them .........I heard undesign is not a bad thing because they can find there job they like and it can take them in many great directions...

julie thanks for sharing that info about your son cory......I am so happy that he made his way thru stayed postive and is happy now and made a great sailor in the end........its nice to hear stories like that...when my son called me a couple times and was upset not knowing what is going on and where he will be I told him to stay positive and strong he will see alot in the navy life...now he knows his orders and he is going to seattle wa on the war ship....he is not thrilled in seattle wa but keeping positive and thinking that as a undesign sailor he will find what he likes and make it thru and see different places in the world hopefully....we just have to support our sailor and talk positive to them and they will all succeed...........

'm with all of you as far as worrying about the guys not having someone meet them at the airport. But it's great how they always prove us wrong. I'm sure they will do fine, or least that's what they will tell us when all is said and done. I don't know who said it but the USO is a great place to find if they have trouble, they will help them out.

Julie I'm so happy for you to be able to see Cory. I'm sure Mother Nature will cooperate this time.

We have been having a great time with Aaron being home. This week we are heading down to see Tara for a few days. Can't wait to hug them both at the same time.

Hope everyone is having a great Easter weekend.

Hi thanks for the welcoming, Can you explain undesignated status? Paula

hey sandy......yes our sons are making the best of things in chicago until they move on..........they will be ok.....they do seem to be enjoying themselves. my son said they had easter dinner today........glad they are friends. :)

Hello, Thank you both for the information. My son is a Boatswainsmate this is his last week of A school no orders yet and I don't know who is more anxious me or him? I just want to learn as much as I can so I know what he is talking about when he calls. I could have sworn someone on another board said as a BM my son was undesignated??? In my eyes all sailors are lucky and should be proud like their moms. Paula

Hello and thanks to you both for the info. My son is a Boatswains Mate and finishes A school this week. He has not gotten his orders yet I am anxious to see where he goes. Wow I have so much to learn.

Sandy, the waiting thing just seems to be part of the Navy. Don't think there is really an answer.

Ok I'm gonna tease you with a picture of one Sailor :) Have to wait till the weekend to get the second one.

Sandy, so glad the wait is over for Aaron. Best of luck to him.

Cheryle, we all know those days, they are not fun, but we all get through them some how. Just go with you feelings today. Like Scarlett said " tomorrow is another day" Just remember we are here for you. And we are all proud of your Sailor.

Comment by MissMySailor just now Delete Comment Hi all, My so got his papers and he will be going to Norfolk VA, he was hoping for Japan or San Diago (my daughter is a doctor and when the war started she was sent from her hospital to work in the clinic on one of the bases and know she is present during Navy Seal under water excercises so she lives close.) Take care god bless our Sailors

Hi Ladies...son leaves in August as "undesignated" and of course Im going crazy wondering what this really means. Is it the low end of the totem pole. I wish for him to finds omething in the Navy that he can make a career out of, not get something low end. Any advice or comment would be greatly appreciated!

hey sandy....havent been on in awhile..my son that was with your son left today as well......flying to georgia and then to pennsicola florida..finally he is so happy to be moving on and out of chicago....where did your son go again?